Emmy-nominated actress, comedian, and author Molly Shannon brought a wave of emotions to the crowd at Sonoma State University on the evening of Wednesday, September 24. The discussion, a part of the Press Democrat’s Women in Conversation event series, took place in Weill Hall at the Green Music Center.
Shannon is known for her side-splitting character acting on Saturday Night Live, originating the roles of Mary Katherine Gallagher and Sally O’Malley. While she is best known for her run on SNL, Shannon has expanded her talents to many fields. She opened up about the highs and lows that ultimately defined her life and career, many of which are detailed in her acclaimed memoir, Hello, Molly!
Moderator Brandelle Mclntosh, Events and Partnership Director for the Press Democrat News Group, led a heartfelt and humorous conversation with Shannon to a packed crowd.
At just the age of four, Shannon survived a tragic car accident that took the lives of her mother, sister, and cousin. “Writing about it wasn’t cathartic—it was painful,” she said, expressing the emotions she felt while recording her audiobook, where she broke down crying midway through.
She credited her hilarious, devoted father as the inspiration for many of her characters. “Sally O’Malley is my dad in a wig,” she said. “My dad’s legs were very badly injured in the car accident…so he walked with a limp.”
“That was my wish, for my dad to be able to kick the braces off his legs,” said Shannon after doing Sally O’Malley’s signature high kick. The tone quickly shifted as Shannon reminisced on her hilarious childhood antics, including a childhood story from her own memoir about hopping a plane to New York City with a friend in secret. “It was the greatest day of my life,” she exclaimed, laughing with the crowd.
A free-to-attend experience on Weill Lawn preceded the event, featuring food trucks, book discussion circles, and vendors. The event marked 10 years of the Women in Conversation series, and was presented by its founding partner, Summit State Bank, along with supporting partners Kaiser Permanente and Oliver’s Market.
Dr. Patricia Hiserote, the first female Physician in Chief for Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa, spoke eloquently about women’s leadership in healthcare. “Women’s voices are not optional—they are necessary,” said Hiserote. She dove into the importance of the role women play in family health decisions, and called on the women in attendance to use their voices to help progress women’s health and equity.
Genie M. Del Secco, Executive Vice President at Summit State Bank, described Shannon as “unsinkable” and “gutsy,” praising her for staying strong after a tragedy through humor and grace.
Throughout the evening, Shannon emphasized the importance of being resilient and loving your family. Shannon spoke about her own experiences, from motherhood and mental health, to working with Will Ferrell and what her success means to her today. “If you’re healthy and can give something to others, that’s success,” she said. “It’s not about me. It’s a service.”
